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Friday, June 06, 2008

Indiana Jones Star Harrison Ford Speaks About the Evils of Illegal Animal Trafficking and How You Can Help to Stop It

As I’ve said before, it’s always positive when famous people dedicate themselves to causes greater than themselves.In this case, it’s hard to find a bigger movies star than Harrison Ford.

Harrison does an excellent job of stating what should be simple – that purchasing products that look like they contain rare animal products (such as skin and fur) likely come from an endangered species.In addition, when you buy these products, then the cycle continues. More will be killed.

As he states in the article below: "Many of the world's most magnificent animals are being pushed toward extinction by the illegal trade and products made from their body parts….When you travel abroad you may be offered some of these products. It might look nothing like the animal itself but don't be fooled. An animal has been killed to make one of these."

Article:

Harrison Ford Warns Against Illegal Animal Trafficking

http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=5001932&page=1

'When the Buying Stops, the Killing Can Too,' Actor Says in PSAs

By KIRIT RADIA

June 5, 2008

When moviegoers settle in to watch the new Indiana Jones movie in theaters, they may first see an unexpected message from its star, Harrison Ford.

Before Indiana Jones tries to save the artifacts in the movie, Ford will tell the audience to save the animals.

"Our endangered animals are being destroyed by illegal wildlife trade. It's up to us to stop it. Never buy illegal wildlife products. When the buying stops, the killing can too," the actor says in one of three public service announcements taped for an international campaign to curb illegal animal trafficking.

Ford has teamed with the U.S. State Department and the nonprofit organization WildAid to promote the message around the world.

"Many of the world's most magnificent animals are being pushed toward extinction by the illegal trade and products made from their body parts," Ford says in another ad, standing among alligator coats and holding snakeskin boots. "When you travel abroad you may be offered some of these products. It might look nothing like the animal itself but don't be fooled. An animal has been killed to make one of these."

Ford is an avid environmentalist and is the vice chairman of the group Conservation International's board of directors.

"People pay attention when someone like Harrison Ford delivers the message so we're lucky to have him do the ads," Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans Environment and Science Claudia McMurray told ABC News.

The State Department said it will distribute the ads through more than 30 of its embassies around the world. Already, they have been shown on television and in movie theaters in India and Brazil, some of the most populous countries that also happen to be the origin for many of the poached animals.

"Given the global nature of this campaign, I think we have the capacity to reach millions of people," McMurray said in a phone interview from New York, where she will unveil the ads at the United Nations alongside actress and animal rights activist Bo Derek, who has also served as the secretary of state's special envoy for wildlife trafficking issues.

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In essence, and briefly, the goal of this blog and of the main site - www.geari.org is to assist individuals in conducting research on issues related to animal rights. Over the years this has meant many things. Very commonly, it is with questions students have when putting together a research paper. Also, quite commonly, it is an individual just diving into trying to figure out what companies test on animals. Regardless of the question, my goal is to help you find the answer. Again, my background is in libraries and library science, and so I am professionally and personally committed to delivering timely, relevant and legitimate information. This is my only agenda.
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